What is Incel culture?

Incel culture has gained some visibility in recent years, its exact prevalence is unknown because it exists mainly in online spaces, such as forums, on social media, and in messaging groups.

Incel culture refers to a subculture of people, predominantly men, who identify as involuntary celibates, otherwise known as incels. They often feel marginalised due to them struggling to form romantic or sexual relationships. The term incel has evolved into a controversial and toxic ideology. Incel culture is characterised by a deep-seated resentment, particularly towards women, who they blame for their lack of romantic success. This resentment often turns into or is based on misogynistic views, feelings of victimisation, and, in some extreme cases, resulting in violent behaviour.

While most incels are online, there have been instances of violence linked to incel ideology. In 2021, a man in Plymouth killed five people, including his mother, in a shooting spree. Although it was not explicitly identified as an incel, his actions were linked to misogynistic and extremist views which are associated with incel culture.

Incel culture explained

Incel culture is rooted in feelings of alienation, frustration, and entitlement. Incels often believe that society, and particularly women, owe them romantic or sexual attention. They blame their lack of success on factors such as physical appearance, social status, or the perceived unfairness of the dating world.

Online forums and communities provide a space for incels to share their grievances, but these spaces often amplify toxic beliefs. Common themes in incel culture include the glorification of violence, the dehumanisation of women, and promoting extremist ideologies.

History of incel culture

The term incel was first discussed in the late 1990s by a Canadian woman named Alana, who created a website to discuss her struggles with loneliness and romantic rejection. She created a website called “Alana’s Involuntary Celibacy Project” in order to provide a space for people, regardless of their gender, to discuss their struggles with loneliness, social isolation, and their difficulty forming romantic or sexual relationships. Initially, the term was gender-neutral and it aimed to create a supportive community for people experiencing similar issues. However, over time, the incel movement was adopted by men who used it to express misogynistic views and justify their anger towards women.

Some high-profile, violent attacks have been linked to incel ideology. One of the most well-known incidents occurred in 2014, when Elliot Rodger killed six people and injured 14 in Isla Vista, California. Rodger expressed deep resentment towards women and men who were romantically successful, blaming them for his loneliness. Since then, other attacks have been linked to incel ideology, further cementing its association with violence and extremism. Another example of violence linked to incel ideology is the 2018 Toronto van attack, carried out by Alek Minassian. Alek Minassian was also heavily influenced by incel ideology and deliberately drove a rented van onto a crowded pavement in Toronto, killing 10 people and injuring 16 others.

Incel culture in schools

Incel culture is not only confined to online spaces, it has also been identified in schools and other educational institutions. Incel culture is a challenging issue for schools, as it can contribute to misogyny, social isolation, and even violence among pupils.  Young men who feel isolated or rejected may be drawn to incel ideology as a way to rationalise their experiences, particularly when students lack access to proper education about healthy relationships, consent, and gender equality.

Teachers have reported instances of students using incel-related language or expressing misogynistic views in classrooms. This highlights the importance of addressing incel culture early, before it has an effect on young people. Schools should take proactive steps to promote inclusivity, teach empathy, and provide support for students who may be struggling with feelings of loneliness or rejection. Some things schools can do includes:

• Schools can implement programs in order to educate students about healthy relationships, consent, and gender equality. This can help counter the misogynistic views promoted by incel culture.
• Workshops on digital literacy can teach students how to critically evaluate online content and recognise harmful ideologies.
• Providing access to counsellors and mental health resources is crucial for students struggling with loneliness, rejection, or low self-esteem. Schools should create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable seeking help without fear of judgment.
• Schools can work to encourage inclusive environments where all students feel valued and accepted. This includes addressing bullying, cliques, and social hierarchies that contribute to feelings of isolation. Encouraging extracurricular activities and peer support groups can also help students build positive social connections.
• While respecting privacy, schools can collaborate with parents in order to monitor students’ online activity and identify their exposure to harmful content.
• Educators can also teach students about the dangers of online echo chambers and the importance of respecting diverse perspectives.
• Schools should have clear protocols for addressing incidents of harassment, bullying, or extremist behaviour which is related to incel culture.
• Teachers and staff should be trained to recognise signs of radicalisation and know how to intervene appropriately.
• Schools can involve parents in discussions about incel culture and its impact on young people. Providing resources and guidance can help parents support their children and know the signs to look for.

There are numerous resources and support systems available to help young people who are feeling lonely or isolated. These services range from helplines and online support to community programs and mental health initiatives, including:

Childline – you can ring them for free 24/7 on 0800 1111. Childline provides confidential support for young people under 19. They offer phone counselling, online chats, and resources on topics like loneliness, mental health, and relationships.

The Mix – you can ring them on 0808 808 4994 for free, 11 am–11 pm. You can also text “THEMIX” to 85258 for crisis support. The Mix offers support for young people aged 13–25 on issues including loneliness, mental health, and relationships. They provide phone counselling, online forums, and information resources.

YoungMinds – YoungMinds offers mental health advice and resources for young people and their parents. They also have a crisis text service where you can text “YM” to 85258.

Online misogyny

The internet has played a significant role in the rise and spread of incel culture. Online forums, social media platforms, and messaging apps provide incels with a space to share their beliefs. These platforms are often echo chambers, where extreme views are normalised and encouraged.

Online misogyny is a hallmark of incel culture where women are frequently dehumanised, objectified, and blamed for the perceived injustices faced by incels. These toxic beliefs can escalate into violence in the real world. Despite some efforts by tech companies to moderate harmful content, incel communities continue to thrive in parts of the internet, making it difficult to control.

The dangers of incel culture

Incel culture poses significant risks to both individuals and society as a whole. At an individual level, it can lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The toxic beliefs promoted by incel ideology can also isolate people further, making it even harder for them to form meaningful connections with people.

On a wider scale, incel culture has been linked to acts of terrorism and mass violence. Incel-related attacks often target women or places associated with romance and social interaction, such as schools or nightclubs. This violence is usually fuelled by a sense of entitlement and wanting revenge against a society that incels feel has wronged them.

Incel culture promotes harmful gender stereotypes and reinforces patriarchy. It undermines the efforts to promote gender equality within society and encourages fear and hostility towards women. Incel culture can be harmful both to people who identify with it and to society as a whole as it can:

• Promote misogyny and gender hostility – misogyny is the dislike, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women or girls. It is a range of attitudes and behaviours that devalue, or discriminate against women based on their gender. Incel culture often encourages deeply misogynistic views, portraying women as objects. This can lead to the dehumanisation of women and justify harmful behaviours. Many incels express a sense of entitlement to romantic and sexual relationships, blaming women for their lack of success. This creates resentment and hostility towards women.
• Encourage extremism and violence – incel forums and communities can serve as echo chambers that radicalise people, encourage feelings of anger, hopelessness, and victimhood. There have been several high-profile cases of violence linked to incel ideology, including mass shootings and attacks targeting women. These acts are often motivated by a desire for revenge against society or women specifically.
• Perpetuates toxic masculinity – toxic masculinity refers to a set of cultural norms and expectations associated with traditional masculinity that can be harmful to men, women, and society in general. It emphasises traits such as dominance, aggression, emotional suppression, and the rejection of anything perceived as feminine. While not all masculinity is toxic, this specific form encourages harmful behaviours and attitudes that can lead to negative consequences. Incel culture often reinforces these harmful stereotypes about masculinity, suggesting that men who are not sexually active are failures. This can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and shame. The focus on sexual success as a measure of self-worth can alienate men from healthier forms of self-esteem and social connection.
• Exacerbates mental health issues – the incel worldview is often pessimistic, promoting the idea that life is unfair and that there is no hope for improvement. This can worsen existing mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Incel communities can discourage members from seeking help or forming positive relationships. The beliefs and behaviours promoted within this culture often exacerbate existing mental health issues and can also create new ones. Incel culture often promotes the idea that individuals are unattractive or undesirable, leading to a negative self-image and low self-esteem. Constant feelings of inadequacy, rejection, and frustration can lead to stress and anxiety.
• Spreads harmful ideologies – incel culture often has links with other extremist ideologies, including racism. This can lead to the spread of further hateful beliefs. By extreme views being viewed as acceptable or even justified, incel culture can normalise harmful behaviours and attitudes.
• Undermines healthy relationships – incel ideology promotes an unhealthy view of relationships, which is far removed from the mutual respect and understanding that healthy relationships need.
• Social cohesion – the spread of incel ideology can contribute to division in society, encouraging mistrust and hostility between genders. The potential for violence associated with incel culture poses a threat to the safety of the public.

Combatting incel culture

Education is key to preventing the spread of toxic beliefs. Schools and communities in general must prioritise teaching young people in particular about healthy relationships, consent, and respect for all people and genders. Schools can do this by developing age-appropriate curricula that teaches students about healthy relationships, boundaries, consent, and respect from an early age. Children are never too young to begin learning about this. Topics can evolve as students grow, addressing issues like peer pressure, dating, and online interactions. Ensuring that the curriculum is inclusive of all genders, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds, promotes respect and understanding for diversity. Focusing on practical skills like communication, conflict resolution, and empathy can help students navigate relationships effectively. Schools can also:

• Provide training for teachers and staff – with a focus on how to deliver relationship and consent education sensitively. Equip educators with trauma-informed practices in order to support students who may have experienced unhealthy relationships or even abuse.
• Engage parents and caregivers – offer workshops, guides, and resources in order to help parents and caregivers discuss healthy relationships, consent, and respect with their children. Encourage parents to maintain open, non-judgmental communication with their children about these topics.
• Collaborate with community organisations – partner with local organisations, such as domestic abuse charities, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, and mental health services, in order to provide expertise and the correct resources. Community events, workshops, and seminars can be useful to raise awareness and educate both young people and adults.
• Promote a culture of respect and inclusion – implement and enforce policies that promote respect, equality, and a zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, or discrimination. Highlight positive role models and stories that demonstrate healthy relationships and mutual respect. Student clubs or mentorship programs can encourage a culture of respect and support among young people.

Providing mental health support can play an important role in preventing the rise of incel culture by addressing the underlying issues that often contribute to people being drawn to such ideologies. Mental health support can:

• Address loneliness and social isolation – mental health services can help people who feel isolated or disconnected from others by providing coping strategies and encouraging social skills. Support groups or community activities where people can build meaningful connections and reduce feelings of loneliness can be helpful.
• Building self-esteem and self-worth – this can be done through counselling and therapy. Mental health professionals can help people develop a healthier self-image and challenge negative beliefs about themselves. It can also encourage participation in activities that build confidence and a sense of accomplishment, such as hobbies, sports, or volunteer work.
• Teaching healthy relationship skills – providing education on healthy relationships, communication, and emotional intelligence to help people form and maintain positive connections. This can involve teaching skills for resolving conflicts and managing rejection in a healthy way.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – using therapeutic approaches like CBT to help people identify and change distorted thinking patterns, such as misogyny or entitlement can be helpful. Encouraging critical thinking and media literacy to help people recognise and resist extremist ideologies is an important skill.
• Providing safe spaces for expression – creating safe, non-judgmental spaces where people can express their feelings and frustrations without fear of ridicule or rejection can be helpful. Peer support networks where people can share experiences and receive encouragement from others who understand their struggles can be beneficial.
• Addressing mental health stigma – promoting awareness campaigns in order to reduce the stigma around seeking mental health support, making it easier for people to reach out for help is important. Ensuring that mental health services are accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive to meet the needs of diverse populations is important.
• Preventing radicalisation – early detection is important. Training educators, counsellors, and community leaders to recognise early signs of radicalisation and how they can intervene appropriately. Providing positive, alternative narratives that promote inclusivity, respect, and equality, can counter the toxic messages of incel culture.
• Promoting gender equality and respect – implementing programs that promote gender equality, respect, and understanding between all genders is important. Highlight positive role models who demonstrate healthy attitudes towards relationships and gender.
• Encouraging healthy coping mechanisms – including stress management. Teaching healthy ways to manage stress and cope with rejection or failure is important, reducing the likelihood of people turning to harmful ideologies.
• Mindfulness and resilience – promoting mindfulness practices and resilience-building activities can help people navigate life’s challenges.

Online platforms must take responsibility for moderating harmful content and shutting down incel communities that promote violence and misogyny. Governments and police forces should also monitor incel-related activity and intervene when necessary in order to prevent acts of violence. Online platforms are increasingly recognising the need to address harmful content, including incel culture, which can promote misogyny, violence, and other toxic ideologies.

Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Reddit have updated their community guidelines around hate speech, harassment, and content that promotes violence or harmful ideologies, including incel-related content. They use a combination of automated systems and human moderators in order to identify and remove violating content.

Platforms can also employ machine learning algorithms in order to detect and flag harmful content, including incel-related posts, comments, and videos. These systems are trained to recognise keywords, phrases, and patterns associated with harmful ideologies. However, algorithmic detection is far from perfect and can sometimes miss things or over-censor things. Some other ways online platforms can moderate harmful content effectively includes:

• User reporting systems – platforms encourage users to report harmful content. Reports are reviewed by human moderators, who decide whether the content violates their community guidelines. Some platforms have reporting processes for specific types of harmful content, such as hate speech or threats.
• Banning harmful communities – platforms like Reddit and Facebook have banned entire communities that promote incel ideology or other harmful content.
• Partnerships with experts – some platforms collaborate with external organisations, researchers, and experts in order to better understand and address harmful ideologies like incel culture. These partnerships help inform policy updates and moderation strategies.
• Promoting counter-speech – some platforms are investing in initiatives in order to promote positive, counter-speech content that challenges harmful ideologies. For example, YouTube has supported creators who produce content arguing against extremist views or promoting healthy discussions about relationships and mental health.
• Transparency reports – many platforms publish transparency reports that detail their efforts to remove harmful content, including hate speech and violent extremism.

Despite these efforts, some critics argue that platforms are not doing enough to address harmful content. Issues include inconsistent enforcement of policies, slow response times, and the spread of harmful content on smaller or less-regulated platforms. There are also concerns about the mental health of human moderators who are regularly exposed to disturbing content.

Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly trying to hold platforms accountable for harmful content. For example, the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires platforms to take proactive measures in order to combat illegal and harmful content, including hate speech and extremist ideologies.

Society as a whole must work to challenge the underlying attitudes that fuel incel culture. This includes addressing issues such as toxic masculinity, gender inequality, and the stigma surrounding mental health. By encouraging a more inclusive and empathetic society, we can reduce the appeal of incel ideology.

Incel culture is a complex and worrying phenomenon that demands urgent attention. By understanding its roots, recognising its dangers, and taking proactive steps, we can work towards a future where people feel valued and respected, regardless of their romantic or social status.